Honduran Man Stashed Meth and Heroin in Child's Car Seat

- Francisco Gutierrez and Rachel Ruiz were apprehended at a traffic stop

- Drugs were found in the car seat occupied by Ruiz’s son

- Gutierrez received a low end sentence

Francisco Gutierrez (23) and Rachel Ruiz were stopped on Interstate 90 while driving with Ruiz’s 8 year old son in the back of the car in a car seat. They were arrested on suspicion of trafficking and were taken to a hotel room set up for questioning. The police did not mind that she insisted that the child come with them but their suspicions arose when she insisted that the car seat come along as well. They obtained a warrant and a search revealed meth and heroin hidden in the bottom of car seat.

Honduran Man Stashed Meth and Heroin in Child's Car Seat

U.S. District Judge Susan Watters feels that Gutierrez had a minor role to play in the trafficking of drugs. She also acknowledged his confession of a messed up childhood. He confessed that he had lived on the streets for most of his life. She decided to take it into consideration as extenuating circumstances. He was given the low end sentence of 63 months imprisonment.

Gutierrez is an addict and has faced deportation 3 times. He is fighting his latest deportation. He has promised the judge that he will use his prison term wisely to try to better his life. He confessed that he was sorry for his actions. He had become involved with the Mexican Mafia he felt he had no other option but to co-operate with them. Many of his friends had been killed by them.

Ruiz and co-defendant Timothy Pine have also pleaded guilty and are awaiting their sentencing. Ruiz’s actions are particularly heinous as she used her son as a decoy.